One Direction to Break Up? Simon Cowell Says So - 'Bands Don't Stay Together Forever'

When the "X-Factor" alums that comprise popular boyband One Direction first shot to fame in 2012, their manager and "discoverer" Simon Cowell expressed that he didn't exactly expect them to hit it big.

"No! I mean, you know, I thought they would work as a band, but you can't predict these kinds of things," Cowell mused to MTV. "But it's down to them. They've worked hard. They work really well as a group. The records are good. They're nice guys to work with. So the world, right now, is theirs."

Fast forward two years later, the boys are now certified global successes, with each member starting to engage in their own separate ventures, although they maintain they're not breaking up despite that. This does not keep the rumor mill from turning though. Is One Direction breaking up or not?

"I think they will make at least two more albums together and they are in the middle of one right now," the entertainment mogul said, as quoted by CTV News. "Bands don't stay together forever."

Ever the realistic individual, the "mastermind" of the band didn't coat his words or shy from declaring the fact that bands typically break up at some point, despite the fame and fortune.

Although the 54-year-old starmaker did go even further to admit that the boys may go their own separate ways to do solo ventures "eventually," he denied that Harry Styles will be doing just that this year.

"No, I don't think that is going to happen for a while. Eventually I am sure they all will," Cowell clarified.

As early as late last year, there have been rumors about Harry planning to go solo and working on his own projects in 2014, as reported by The Daily Mail. However, a representative of the band dismissed the rumors as "complete nonsense."

Harry himself has reportedly waved away the allegations, saying he's "100 percent" in the band.

"I still want to be touring with One Direction in ten years. I'll be doing it until I'm old and people are telling me to stop," he was quoted as saying by CTV News.

Well, how about that Harry? Your manager said you and the boys are about to break up after two more albums. 

In the wake of Cowell's statements, the hashtag #1DToLiveOnForever trended on Twitter, Hollywood Take said, indicating the fans' dread of the band's eventual split.

How long do you think it will take until the boys finally take five directions instead of one? Speak out in the comments below!